Taking our coffee scene by storm is Alchemist, a specialty coffee joint famous for their grab-and-go cuppa. Coffee lovers will be familiar with their first two outlets at Hong Leong Building and International Plaza; they have just opened their flagship store this year at Khong Guan Building in Tai Seng!

Their latest establishment is a hidden gem, nestled in former Khong Guan Biscuit Factory. Decked in a minimalistic interior with marble furniture and blue countertops, they now house a roastery and dining area for you to chill with your cup of joe! You can snack on their baked goods too.

The Hot Chocolate (S$5) was smooth and velvety in texture, and we could taste the thick chocolate flavour. We thought it tasted like a brownie in drink form! The creaminess of the foam was also very comforting with a sweet aftertaste.

We also ordered a Flat White (S$5), which was served with beautiful swan latte art. The coffee was made from a house-blend Dark Matter, and it had a bold, nutty finish. It was also smooth and consistent with a mellow flavour profile.

Here at Alchemist, each cuppa is carefully and lovingly prepared. They are definitely one of the better coffee shops out there, with their cosy ambience being a plus point. If you are looking for a great pick-me-up, this is the place to visit!

2 Mactaggart Rd
#01-01 Khong Guan Building
Singapore 368078
Mon to Fri: 8am – 5pm
Sat: 9am – 6pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Home to an enclave of mouth-watering cafes and restaurants, Serangoon Gardens is a foodie heaven second to none in Singapore. With new eateries popping up here so often, it is undoubtedly the perfect place to bring out the glutton in you!

The Larder Café first started in Toa Payoh in 2016 and they have recently opened another new outlet in Serangoon Gardens, taking over the premise of the now-defunct Arbite which closed down after 9 years.

Boasting a plethora of mains, brunch, big bites and desserts, you can expect to be torn between their delectable options. There’s even alcoholic drinks and a kids’ menu!

To start off our meal, we chose the Cheese Fries (S$8). The basket of straight cut fries came with a side of cheese dip; the fries were nicely fried without it being overly oily. The dip had a light buttery texture with just the right amount of thickness. Together, the pairing tasted sinful.

The Carbonara Spaghetti (S$13) was served next. We are not fans of carbonara as it usually tends to be overbearingly creamy, but the pasta here was done well! The cream sauce was rich in flavour without it being too cloying or thick. It also came with generous, juicy strips of bacon and button mushrooms.

Last but not least, we had the Bacon Eggs Benedict (S$15) — it was plated beautifully, with succulent bacon strips and large poached eggs atop fluffy brioche bread. This was the star of the show; the toast was crispy on the sides with a soft middle, while the creaminess of the egg yolk and sliced tomatoes gave the dish an extra sweetness.

If you’re looking for a café that offers quality mains and sweet treats at affordable prices, The Larder Café is the place to go. We will definitely be back the next time round to try out their other items.

The Larder Café
66A Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555962
Tel: +65 6253 8382
Tues to Sun: 11am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Serangoon

Walking down Orchard Road, there are plenty of famous malls that line the streets but one of the lesser-known ones is TripleOne Somerset even though it’s right outside the MRT Station. Recently renovated, this mall now has several attractive food options – from lunch to coffee and pastries.

One cafe, in particular, could be your new favourite cafe in town – Glyph Supply Co. It’s a minimalist’s dream, decked in white walls and simple decor. They serve up some delicious coffee and pastries so you could spend your entire morning sipping away watching as bustling crowds pass by the roads of Orchard Road.

We first ordered a Hot White (S$5.50) from their selection of coffee. We thought that the coffee was very smooth and did not have any unpleasant bitterness that lingered on our tastebuds. It was slightly acidic, though.

We also had the iced Matcha Latte (S$7). They hand-whisk ceremonial grade matcha powder in the latte resulting in a smooth matcha flavour with grassy yet floral tasting notes.

To go along with our drinks, we chose to have Glyph Supply Co’s Lemon Drizzle Loaf (S$5). Though it was rather petite in size, it packed a big punch of flavour. This is the kind of cake that will instantly lift your spirits, perfuming your tastebuds with the vibrant flavour of lemon. Sweet, tangy and addictive – hallmarks of a wonderful lemon cake.

This minimalist cafe is definitely a gem tucked away in the heart of Orchard road. Give them a try when you’re in town – their friendly staff will be more than happy to cater to your coffee cravings!

Glyph Supply Co
111 Somerset Road, #01-06
Singapore 238164
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 7.30pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 7.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Armed with flavourful coffee, delectable pastries a mission to spread more awareness and empower the differently-abled in Singapore, Foreword Coffee takes on Singapore’s coffee-loving crowd. Opening their third outlet at Temasek Shophouse, they’re taking bold steps forward to make Singapore a more inclusive society.

Foreword Coffee serves a myriad of coffee drinks and a few signature concoctions. In addition to these cuppas, they also offer indulgent pastries and cakes made by home-bakers or other projects with similar missions to empower.

One of Foreword Coffee’s signature drinks is the Timeless Yuan Yang (S$6.50). A ristretto shot of their Yunnan Ouyang coffee blend with an Earl Grey tea ice ball blends perfectly with milk.

The first sip brought out the bright flavour of the Earl Grey instantly and as it faded on your tastebuds, the fruity yet bitter note of the Yunnan Ouyang Coffee could be tasted. It was an excellent modern rendition of the traditional Yuan Yang.

Using Dark Chocolate from the Rehoboth Estate in the Philippines and milk, Foreword Coffee’s next signature drink, the 70% Dark Chocolate (S$6.50), was a delight to drink. This would be perfect for those who enjoy a milkier hot chocolate drink but want that rich chocolate aroma.

Foreword Coffee also supports passionate home-bakers and offer their baked goods at the cafe. We tried the Chocolate Cloud Cake (S$5) and were extremely satisfied. The cake was chocked full of cocoa flavour yet it maintained a crumbly and somewhat airy texture. It was such a simple slice but it was oh-so-satisfying.

We were truly humbled after our trip to Foreword Coffee. It is easy to get lost in the fast pace and rat race in modern Singapore; it also is easy to grow more unaware of society around us too. However, visiting Foreword Coffee, we had the chance to see more of what we usually do not in Singapore – empowerment of those that are differently-abled.

Everyone comes in different shapes and sizes, and this includes those who have impairments and are uniquely-abled. Let us all learn to appreciate every single person and all the different personalities we have in our society, just like Foreword Coffee does.

28 Orchard Road
Temasek Shophouse
Singapore 238832
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 6.30pm
Sat & Sun: 11.15pm – 4.15pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Gaut

Foreword Coffee has several outlets. Check out the full list here.